BCCI announces schedule for IPL 2026 Playoffs: Bengaluru loses out; Ahmedabad gets fourth final

Bengaluru was originally designated to host the final, but owing to certain issues, the summit clash will again be held at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium

Updated on: May 6, 2026, 12:52:06 IST

Edited by Aditya Bhattacharya

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For the second consecutive year, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the Indian Premier League (IPL) final. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Wednesday announced the schedule for the IPL 2026 playoffs, which will be held across three cities instead of two, with the summit clash set for the world’s largest cricket stadium. This will be the fourth time Ahmedabad hosts an IPL final, having previously staged it in 2022, 2023 and 2025.

IPL 2026 Final Venue Shifted From Bengaluru To Ahmedabad | Here’s Why | BCCI | RCB

“Following 70 high-intensity league-stage matches defined by outstanding performances and edge-of-the-seat moments, the tournament now enters its decisive phase. Qualifier 1, featuring the top two teams in the standings, will be played on May 26 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala, with a direct berth in the Final at stake,” the IPL said in a release.

“The action will then move to the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh, which will host the Eliminator on May 27 between the third and fourth-placed teams. The same venue will also stage Qualifier 2 on May 29, where the loser of Qualifier 1 will face the winner of the Eliminator to determine the second finalist.”

As it turns out, the release added that although Bengaluru was expected to host the final after Royal Challengers Bengaluru won the title last year, it had to be moved from the Chinnaswamy Stadium due to logistical issues beyond control. The venue had come under scrutiny after 11 people lost their lives during RCB’s victory parade last year, and although it was cleared to stage matches this season, Ahmedabad was deemed a more suitable choice for the final.

“The season will conclude with the grand Final on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad — the world’s largest cricket stadium — setting the stage for a spectacular finale. Owing to certain operational and logistical considerations, the TATA IPL 2026 Playoffs will be conducted across three venues this season as a special case,” the release stated further.

Why Bengaluru lost out

“Bengaluru was originally designated to host the Final. However, owing to certain requirements from the local association and authorities that were beyond the scope of BCCI's established guidelines and protocols, the venue has been shifted and reassigned.”

The Narendra Modi Stadium, with a capacity of over 100,000, was inaugurated in 2021 and has since been shortlisted for major cricketing events. Besides hosting four IPL finals, the venue also hosted the 2023 ODI World Cup and 2026 T20 World Cup finals, which produced contrasting outcomes for the Indian team. This, however, has sparked disappointment among fans, who feel that cities rich in cricketing history, such as Kolkata and Mumbai, deserve more marquee matches.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Bhattacharya
Aditya Bhattacharya is the Sports Editor at Hindustan Times Digital, with close to 15 years of experience in sports journalism. Over the course of his career, he has worked with leading media organisations including Cricbuzz, The Times of India, Network18 and Zee. Primarily a cricket writer, Aditya has covered several marquee events, including the 2016 ICC World T20, the 2019 ICC World Cup in England and the 2023 World Cup in India. His reporting portfolio also includes international cricket across England, South Africa and New Zealand, along with forays into tennis, including coverage of the Australian Open. He has interviewed several prominent athletes across sports. Aditya began his career with a brief stint at CricketNext before getting his first major break at Cricbuzz, where he was part of the Times Network’s startup venture GoCricket, which later merged with Cricbuzz. After nearly 18 months there, he moved to The Times of India, covering his first World Cup assignment and reporting first-hand on landmark moments such as Virat Kohli’s iconic innings against Australia in Mohali. During his three-year tenure, he played a key role in both reporting and desk operations and was recognised as TOI Employee of the Quarter in 2016. He later joined Zee, where he covered the 2019 World Cup across five venues in England—an assignment he considers a career highlight. At Hindustan Times, Aditya’s leadership came to the fore as he was promoted to lead the sports team within 18 months. Under his stewardship, the section has delivered extensive coverage of global sporting events, including the IPL, Olympics, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games. In 2024, he was named HT DigiStar of the Year. Aditya continues to adapt to the evolving digital publishing landscape, with a sharp focus on search and audience engagement. Outside work, he occasionally plays the guitar and remains an avid gamer.Read More

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